Outer casing having waterproof function for electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

An outer casing having a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus includes a casing body and a side cover waterproof mechanism. The side cover waterproof mechanism includes a cover body and a limit rib. The cover body includes a plastic layer and a silica gel layer integrally disposed under the plastic layer. The plastic layer is embedded an outer interface of the casing body. The silica gel layer is embedded in an inner interface of the casing body. The limit rib is slidably disposed in an accommodation trough. Between upper and lower casing bodies of the casing body is provided with a silica gel seal ring for sealing. Thus, between the upper and lower casing bodies of the electronic apparatus and between the interfaces of the casing bodies are provided with a waterproof mechanism, respectively, to enhance the waterproof capability of the electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to anelectronic apparatus, and more particularly to an outer casing having awaterproof function for an electronic apparatus.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

An electronic apparatus, such as a cell phone, a tablet computer, anelectronic book, and so on, becomes more and more popular. An existingwaterproof structure for an electronic apparatus is provided with anO-ring made of a silica gel material between the upper and lower casingbodies. However, the curved portion of the outer casing of theelectronic apparatus is unable to mate with the O-ring exactly. Thiscauses the waterproof function halfway and brings inconvenience to theelectronic apparatus. Besides, the interfaces of the side wall of theouter casing don't have a waterproof function. Water enters the casingeasily. The silica gel material of the conventional O-ring may have acrack because of the variability of the shrinkage to cause a leakage.Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himselfbased on his many years of practical experiences to solve theseproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an outercasing having a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus. Betweenupper and lower casing bodies of the electronic apparatus and betweenthe interfaces of the casing bodies are provided with a waterproofmechanism, respectively, such that the gaps and the interfaces of theelectronic apparatus can be sealed effectively to enhance the waterproofcapability of the electronic apparatus.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the outer casing having awaterproof function for an electronic apparatus of the present inventioncomprises a casing body and a side cover waterproof mechanism disposedat a side wall of the casing body. The side wall of the casing body hasan interface and an accommodation trough connected with the interface.The interface includes an outer interface and an inner interface whichcommunicate with each other. The side cover waterproof mechanismcomprises a cover body and a soft limit rib connected to one end thecover body. The cover body comprises a silica gel layer and a plasticlayer. The silica gel layer is integrally disposed under the plasticlayer. The plastic layer is embedded in the outer interface in a plug-inway. The silica gel layer is embedded in the inner interface in aplug-in way. The soft limit rib is slidably disposed in theaccommodation trough. The casing body comprises an upper casing body anda lower casing body. One of the upper casing body and the lower casingbody is circumferentially formed with a silica gel groove. The silicagel groove is integrally formed a silica gel seal ring. The silica gelseal ring has a seal groove thereon along its extending direction. Alower surface of the other of the upper casing body and the lower casingbody is provided with an engaging flange corresponding to the sealgroove. The engaging flange is embedded in the seal groove in a plug-inway.

The present invention uses the elasticity of the silica gel to form aninterference relative to the interface so as to seal the interfacetotally. This can prevent water from entering the casing through theinterface effectively. Furthermore, the combination of the silica gelseal ring and the casing by molding lowers the assembly difficulty ofthe product to increase the production efficiency and to overcome thevariability of the shrinkage of the conventional waterproof material,such that the product can bear a certain water pressure to enhance thewaterproof capability of the product and to prolong the service life ofthe product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the present invention seen fromanother angle;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of circle L of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of circle M of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of circle N of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of circle P of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing disengagement of the engaging flangeand the seal groove; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 11, the present invention discloses anouter casing having a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus.The outer casing comprises a casing body 10, a side cover waterproofmechanism 20 disposed at a side wall of the casing body 10, and a buttonwaterproof mechanism 30.

The side wall of the casing body 10 has an interface 11 and anaccommodation trough 12 connected with the interface 11. The interface11 includes an outer interface 111 and an inner interface 112 whichcommunicate with each other. The entrance of the accommodation trough 12is provided with a limit stopper 121.

The side cover waterproof mechanism 20 comprises a cover body 21 and asoft limit rib 22 which is integrally connected to the cover body 21.The cover body 21 comprises a liquid silica gel layer 211 and aninflexible plastic layer 212. The silica gel layer 211 is integrallydisposed under the plastic layer 212. The limit rib 22 is integrallyformed with one end of the plastic layer 212 and slidably disposed inthe accommodation trough 12. A distal end of the limit rib 22 isprovided with a barb 221. When the limit rib 22 is pulled outwardrelative to the accommodation trough 12, the barb 221 of the limit rib22 is hooked on the limit stopper 121 to prevent the limit rib 22 frombeing pulled out of the accommodation trough 12. Another end of theplastic layer 212 is provided with a buckle 2121 for fixing the coverbody 21 on the interface 11. An inner side of the outer interface 111has a step 1111 corresponding to the buckle 2121. After the cover body21 is covered on the interface 11, the buckle 2121 is engaged on thestep 1111. The soft limit rib 22 and the buckle 2121 are made ofThermoplastic Polyurethane. After the cover body 21 is covered on theinterface 11, the plastic layer 212 is embedded in the outer interface111 and the silica gel layer 211 is embedded in the inner interface 112.The liquid silica gel layer 211 and the inner interface 112 forms aninterference to seal the inner interface 112 totally. Besides, theplastic layer 212 is as an appearance face, which can be painted orformed with a pattern by injection molding. The liquid silica gel layer211 can be formed on the plastic layer 212 by hot pressing or injectionmolding. Both the limit rib 22 and the buckle 2121 are integrally formedwith the plastic layer 212 by injection.

The button waterproof mechanism 30 comprises a button 31, a hole 32, anda waterproof member 33. The button 31 is placed in the hole 32. Thewaterproof member 32 is disposed between the button 31 and the hole 32.The waterproof member 32 comprises a stainless steel plate 331 and aliquid silica gel 332 which is integrally formed to wrap the stainlesssteel plate 331. An outer wall of the waterproof member 33 is engaged inthe hole 32. The outer wall of the waterproof member 33 and the hole 33form an interference. A front end of the waterproof member 33 isprovided with a trigger block 333. A rear end of the waterproof member33 has an accommodation cavity 334. A front end of the button 31 isprovided with a boss 311. The boss 311 extends into the accommodationcavity 334 to lean against a bottom wall of the accommodation cavity334.

The principle of the side cover waterproof mechanism is that when thecover body 21 is opened, the plastic layer 212 and the liquid silica gellayer 211 are pulled out from the outer interface 111 and the innerinterface 112. The barb 221 of the limit rib 22 is hooked on the limitstopper 121. When the cover body 21 is closed, the liquid silica gellayer 211 is embedded in the inner interface 112. The liquid silica gellayer 211 and the inner interface 112 form an interference so as to sealthe inner interface 112 totally, and then the plastic layer 212 iscovered to seal the interface 11 totally.

The principle of the button waterproof mechanism 30 is that after thewaterproof member 33 is inserted into the hole 32, the liquid silica gel332 of the waterproof member 33 and the hole 32 form an interference toseal the hole 32 totally. The button 31 leans against the bottom wall ofthe waterproof member 33. The pressing action of the button 31 can betransmitted through the waterproof member 33.

The casing body 10 comprises an upper casing body 13 and a lower casingbody 14. A lower surface of the upper casing body 13 iscircumferentially provided with an engaging board 131. A lower end ofthe engaging board 131 is provided with an engaging flange 1311. A topwall of the upper casing body 13 has a rectangular through hole 132. Acircumferential side of the rectangular through hole 132 has an engagingstep 1321. A screen 40 is installed on the engaging step 1321 to coverthe rectangular through hole 132. An engaging room 141 is surrounded bya side wall of the lower casing body 14 for installing the upper casingbody 13. The engaging room 141 is circumferentially formed with a silicagel groove 142. The silica gel groove 142 is provided with a silica gelseal ring 143 by injection molding. The silica gel seal ring 143 isliquid silica gel. The silica gel seal ring 143 has a seal groove 1431thereon along its extending direction. The seal groove 1431 has a curveshape corresponding to the engaging flange 1311. After the upper casingbody 13 is coupled to the lower casing body 14, the outer wall of theengaging board 131 of the upper casing body 13 is tightly against theinner side of the side wall of the lower casing body 14, and theengaging flange 1311 of the upper casing 13 is tightly engaged with theseal groove 1431 of the lower casing body 14.

The waterproof principle of the upper casing 13 and the lower casing 14is described hereinafter. After the upper casing body 13 is coupled tothe lower casing body 14, the engaging flange 1311 is tightly engaged inthe seal groove 1431. The cooperation of the engaging flange 1311 andthe seal groove 1431 makes the joint of the upper and lower casingbodies form an annular seal area. Besides, the cooperation of the sealgroove 1431 and the engaging flange 1311 form an interference area 15.Thus, the present invention enhances the waterproof capability of theelectronic apparatus.

The present invention uses the elasticity of the silica gel to form aninterference relative to the interface so as to seal the interfacetotally. This can prevent water from entering the casing through theinterface effectively. Furthermore, the combination of the silica gelseal ring and the casing by molding lowers the assembly difficulty ofthe product to increase the production efficiency and to overcome thevariability of the shrinkage of the conventional waterproof material,such that the product can bear a certain water pressure to enhance thewaterproof capability of the product and to prolong the service life ofthe product.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail for purposes of illustration, various modificationsand enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not tobe limited except as by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An outer casing having a waterproof function for anelectronic apparatus, comprising a casing body and a side coverwaterproof mechanism disposed at a side wall of the casing body, theside wall of the casing body has an interface and an accommodationtrough connected with the interface, the interface including an outerinterface and an inner interface which communicate with each other; theside cover waterproof mechanism comprising a cover body and a soft limitrib connected to one end the cover body, the cover body comprising asilica gel layer and a plastic layer, the silica gel layer beingintegrally disposed under the plastic layer, the plastic layer beingembedded in the outer interface in a plug-in way, the silica gel layerbeing embedded in the inner interface in a plug-in way, the soft limitrib being slidably disposed in the accommodation trough; the casing bodycomprising an upper casing body and a lower casing body, one of theupper casing body and the lower casing body being circumferentiallyformed with a silica gel groove, the silica gel groove being integrallyformed a silica gel seal ring, the silica gel seal ring having a sealgroove thereon along its extending direction, a lower surface of theother of the upper casing body and the lower casing body being providedwith an engaging flange corresponding to the seal groove, the engagingflange being embedded in the seal groove in a plug-in way.
 2. The outercasing outer casing having a waterproof function for an electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the plastic layer isprovided with a buckle for fixing the cover body on the interface, andan inner side of the outer interface has a step corresponding to thebuckle, wherein after the cover body is covered on the interface, thebuckle is engaged on the step.
 3. The outer casing outer casing having awaterproof function for an electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 2,wherein the soft limit rib and the buckle are made of ThermoplasticPolyurethane, the silica gel layer being a liquid silica gel layer, theplastic layer being an inflexible plastic layer, the soft limit ribbeing integrally formed with another end of the plastic layer, a distalend of the soft limit rib being provided with a barb, an entrance of theaccommodation trough being provided with a limit stopper, wherein whenthe soft limit rib is pulled outward relative to the accommodationtrough, the barb of the soft limit rib is hooked on the limit stopper.4. The outer casing outer casing having a waterproof function for anelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side wall of thecasing body is provided with a button waterproof mechanism, the buttonwaterproof mechanism comprising a button, a hole, and a waterproofmember, the button being placed in the hole, the waterproof member beingdisposed between the button and the hole, the waterproof membercomprising a stainless steel plate and a liquid silica gel which isintegrally formed to wrap the stainless steel plate.
 5. The outer casingouter casing having a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus asclaimed in claim 4, wherein an outer wall of the waterproof member isengaged in the hole, the outer wall of the waterproof member and thehole forming an interference, a front end of the waterproof member beingprovided with a trigger block, a rear end of the waterproof memberhaving an accommodation cavity, a front end of the button being providedwith a boss, the boss extending into the accommodation cavity to leanagainst a bottom wall of the accommodation cavity.
 6. The outer casingouter casing having a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the silica gel groove is disposed on thelower casing body, a lower surface of the upper casing body beingcircumferentially provided with an engaging board, the engaging flangebeing integrally disposed at a lower end of the engaging board.
 7. Theouter casing outer casing having a waterproof function for an electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein an engaging room is surroundedby a side wall of the lower casing body for installing the upper casingbody, the seal groove being disposed in the engaging room, wherein afterthe upper casing body is coupled to the lower casing body, an outer wallof the engaging board of the upper casing body being tightly against aninner side of the side wall of the lower casing body.
 8. The outercasing outer casing having a waterproof function for an electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silica gel seal ring isliquid silica gel.
 9. The outer casing outer casing having a waterprooffunction for an electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein theseal groove has a curve shape, and the engaging flange has a curve shapecorresponding to the seal groove.
 10. The outer casing outer casinghaving a waterproof function for an electronic apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a top wall of the upper casing body has a rectangularthrough hole, a circumferential side of the rectangular through holehaving an engaging step, a screen being installed on the engaging step.